Improvement in machines for spreading plasters



WILLIAM N. REED; v V Improvement in Machines for Spreading Plasters.

Patented June 4,1872.

Jay. j

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM N. REED, OF ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 127,517, dated J unc 4, 1872.

I, WM. N. REED, of Arlington, in the county of Alexandria and State of Virginia, have invented certain Improvements in a Machine to aidApotheearies and others in the Manufacture of Medicated Plasters; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawing making a part of this specification and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

The nature of my invention consists in providing a plane surface or table on which are placed four plates of metal, and so arranged as to inclose a square or oblong space of varying size, corresponding in form with that of the required plaster.

The drawing is figured 1 2 3, in perspective.

Thesame letters refer to similar parts.

In Figure 1, at a, is seen the table which supports the plaster and the plates. 0 d e f are the plates. The raised edge of the table is marked g g g g. A slot, h,'is cut through this raised edge on each of the four sides of the table. On the edge of the table, and attached to it by hinges, are four clamps, marked 2' i z i,

with their handles lettered J J J J.

The mode of operation is as follows: The cloth or other material which is to receive the plaster is placed on the table, and upon this are laid the plates 0 d e f, in such a manner as to inclose an area of the required size and form, as seen at k. This result is obtained by arranging the plates in the manner shown, and then sliding them out or in singly or in pairs, as may be required. When the plates are thus arranged with their outer ends projecting through the slots so as to leave the open space at k the size and shape desired, they are secured firmly in position by turning up the clamps under the projecting ends of the plates and pressing them against the upper side of the slots, thus tilting downward their inner ends upon the table, so as to prevent their be ing misplaced by the lateral or other pressure necessary in spreading the plaster.

Two ofthe plates are graduated to one-fourth inch to facilitate laying off the plaster any given At 13, Fig. 2, is shown a clamp hinged to the table similar to those already described; the difference is that this one enters the slot in the form and holds the plate on the principle of the wedge.

In same drawing, Fig. 2, at i is seen a third form of clamp, which is made with a slot extending nearly its whole length, into which the plate 0 is inserted, as already described in Fig. 1. This clamp is turned on its center by means of its handle L, which, being depressed, holds its plate in position by pressing it upon the table, said handle being caught and held down by the ratchet m.

The plates are formed thicker at the sides than in the middle for nearly their whole length, commencing at their outer ends, for the purpose of giving the clamps a firmer hold on the plates. This kind of plate is shown in drawing, Fig. 2, at 0 0. The thickness'of the plates operates as a gauge in determining the depth at which themedicated material is spread on the cloth to form the plaster.

At N, Fig. 3, is exhibited an improved spatula with three spreading-edges, two of which are parallel to, but not in line with the handle, and the third is nearly or quite at right angles with it.

I do not claim the graduated edge of the plates, nor, broadly, the general principle of forming medicated plasters within an inclosed space upon aplane surface; nor regulating the thickness of the plaster by that of the frame that incloses it; but

I do claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent- The device for spreading plasters, consisting of the four plates clamped in any suitable manner in the slotted edges of the flanged table, all

arranged as described.

' WM. N. REED.

Witnesses:

THEODORE MUNGEN, P. W. THOMPSON. 

